The Government will soon offer incentives to New Zealanders looking to purchase electric vehicles, to move people away from traditional cars that burn fossil fuels.

"What we're trying to do is get a package that incentivises your middle class people to be able to do that, but also ensures that low income families aren't left behind," Climate Change Minister James Shaw told The AM Show.

New Zealand now has around 10,000 electric vehicles, compared to just 250 five years ago, so there is an "exponential growth rate," Mr Shaw says. But that's only a quarter of one percent (0.25 percent) of the total vehicles on the roads.

So perhaps it may pay to hold-off buying a new EV until these incentives come into force?

Very much so. Typical incentives are in the $10,000 range in other countries. Incentives. That may mean many things, you can guarantee lower rego for 5 years. Maybe interest free loan. Maybe a Solar PV/EV package, as PV may be a bit more enticing if there is a car to dump excess charging into in weekends. I feel a $20,000 interest free loan is the go, but pay back $15000 over 5 years, if buyers can fund that $60 pw from part of fuel savings and still be ahead. Maybe they may impot pre owned EV's for the lower incomed people?

As usual no detail from the Government. Why don't they save their "announcement" till they have something to actually report!? Oh right, they need "something" to announce at the climate event they are at!

I mean, it's good they are trying to incentivise EV, but they could do anything...

How will the government tax those EV vehicles to ensure they share the cost of the roads with the rest of us?

If incentives are fair it doesn't matter how the are incentivised, its just a $ figure in the consolidated fund. The trick is to incentivise so it sounds good, people like it, even though other forms may give the same end result. Its just a numbers game to get traction

Poor ole Labour and the Greens must be in a real pickle.They have been so slow to announce any help for people to own an ev.Yet now it seems they have no choice because they will look ridiculous at the world summit telling other countries to get their act together and stop dragging the chain, when in reality this is exactly what they are doing themselves.

Poor ole Labour and the Greens must be in a real pickle.They have been so slow to announce any help for people to own an ev.Yet now it seems they have no choice because they will look ridiculous at the world summit telling other countries to get their act together and stop dragging the chain, when in reality this is exactly what they are doing themselves.

Poor ole Labour and the Greens must be in a real pickle.They have been so slow to announce any help for people to own an ev.Yet now it seems they have no choice because they will look ridiculous at the world summit telling other countries to get their act together and stop dragging the chain, when in reality this is exactly what they are doing themselves.